John Arthur Phillips

Cyder: Book I

-- -- Honos erit huic quoq; Pomo? Virg.

What Soil the Apple loves, what Care is due To Orchats, timeliest when to press the Fruits, Thy Gift, Pomona, in Miltonian Verse Adventrous I presume to sing; of Verse Nor skill'd, nor studious: But my Native Soil Invites me, and the Theme as yet unsung.

And thou, O Mostyn, whose Benevolence, And Candor, oft experienc'd, Me vouchsaf'd To knit in Friendship, growing still with Years, Accept this Pledge of Gratitude and Love. May it a lasting Monument remain Of dear Respect; that, when this Body frail Is moulder'd into Dust, and I become As I had never been, late Times may know I once was blest in such a matchless Friend.

Who-e'er expects his lab'ring Trees shou'd bend With Fruitage, and a kindly Harvest yield, Be this his first Concern; to find a Tract Impervious to the Winds, begirt with Hills, That intercept the Hyperborean Blasts Tempestuous, and cold Eurus nipping Force, Noxious to feeble Buds: But to the West Let him free Entrance grant, let Zephyrs bland Administer their tepid genial Airs; Naught fear he from the West, whose gentle Warmth Discloses well the Earth's all-teeming Womb, Invigorating tender Seeds; whose Breath Nurtures the Orange, and the Citron Groves, Hesperian Fruits, and wafts their Odours sweet Wide thro' the Air, and distant Shores perfumes. Nor only do the Hills exclude the Winds: But, when the blackning Clouds in sprinkling Show'rs Distill, from the high Summits down the Rain Runs trickling; with the fertile Moisture chear'd, The Orchats smile; joyous the Farmers see Their thriving Plants, and bless the heav'nly Dew.

Next, let the Planter, with Discretion meet, The Force and Genius of each Soil explore; To what adapted, what it shuns averse: Without this necessary Care, in vain He hopes an Apple-Vintage, and invokes Pomona's Aid in vain. The miry Fields, Rejoycing in rich Mold, most ample Fruit Of beauteous Form produce; pleasing to Sight, But to the Tongue inelegant and flat. So Nature has decreed; so, oft we see Men passing fair, in outward Lineaments Elaborate; less, inwardly, exact. Nor from the sable Ground expect Success, Nor from cretaceous, stubborn and jejune: The Must, of pallid Hue, declares the Soil Devoid of Spirit; wretched He, that quaffs Such wheyish Liquors; oft with Colic Pangs, With pungent Colic Pangs distress'd, he'll roar, And toss, and turn, and curse th' unwholsome Draught. But, Farmer, look, where full-ear'd Sheaves of Rye Grow wavy on the Tilth, that Soil select For Apples; thence thy Industry shall gain Ten-fold Reward; thy Garners, thence with Store Surcharg'd, shall burst; thy Press with purest Juice Shall flow, which, in revolving Years, may try Thy feeble Feet, and bind thy fault'ring Tongue. Such is the Kentchurch, such Dantzeyan Ground, Such thine, O learned Brome, and Capel such, Willisian Burlton, much-lov'd Geers his Marsh, And Sutton-Acres, drench'd with Regal Blood Of Ethelbert, when to th' unhallow'd Feast Of Mercian Offa he invited came, To treat of Spousals: Long connubial Joys He promis'd to himself, allur'd by Fair Elfrida's Beauty; but deluded dy'd In height of Hopes -- Oh! hardest Fate, to fall By Shew of Friendship, and pretended Love!

I nor advise, nor reprehend the Choice Of Marcley-Hill; the Apple no where finds A kinder Mold: Yet 'tis unsafe to trust Deceitful Ground: Who knows but that, once more, This Mount may journey, and, his present Site Forsaking, to thy Neighbours Bounds transfer The goodly Plants, affording Matter strange For Law-Debates? If, therefore, thou incline To deck this Rise with Fruits of various Tastes, Fail not by frequent Vows t' implore Success; Thus piteous Heav'n may fix the wand'ring Glebe.

But if (for Nature doth not share alike Her Gifts) an happy Soil shou'd be with-held; If a penurious Clay shou'd be thy Lot, Or rough unweildy Earth, nor to the Plough, Nor to the Cattle kind, with sandy Stones And Gravel o'er-abounding, think it not Beneath thy Toil; the sturdy Pear-tree here Will rise luxuriant, and with toughest Root Pierce the obstructing Grit, and restive Marle.

Thus naught is useless made; nor is there Land, But what, or of it self, or else compell'd, Affords Advantage. On the barren Heath The Shepherd tends his Flock, that daily crop Their verdant Dinner from the mossie Turf, Sufficient; after them the Cackling Goose, Close-grazer, finds wherewith to ease her Want. What shou'd I more? Ev'n on the cliffy Height Of Penmenmaur, and that Cloud-piercing Hill, Plinlimmon, from afar the Traveller kens Astonish'd, how the Goats their shrubby Brouze Gnaw pendent; nor untrembling canst thou see, How from a scraggy Rock, whose Prominence Half overshades the Ocean, hardy Men, Fearless of rending Winds, and dashing Waves, Cut Sampire, to excite the squeamish Gust Of pamper'd Luxury. Then, let thy Ground Not lye unlabour'd; if the richest Stem Refuse to thrive, yet who wou'd doubt to plant Somewhat, that may to Human Use redound, And Penury, the worst of Ills, remove?

There are, who, fondly studious of Increase, Rich Foreign Mold on their ill-natur'd Land Induce laborious, and with fatning Muck Besmear the Roots; in vain! the nurseling Grove Seems fair awhile, cherish'd with foster Earth: But, when the alien Compost is exhaust, It's native Poverty again prevails.

Tho' this Art fails, despond not; little Pains, In a due Hour employ'd, great Profit yield. Th' Industrious, when the Sun in Leo rides, And darts his sultriest Beams, portending Drought, Forgets not at the Foot of ev'ry Plant To sink a circling Trench, and daily pour A just Supply of alimental Streams, Exhausted Sap recruiting; else, false Hopes He cherishes, nor will his Fruit expect Th' autumnal Season, but, in Summer's Pride, When other Orchats smile, abortive fail.

Thus the great Light of Heav'n, that in his Course Surveys and quickens all things, often proves Noxious to planted Fields, and often Men Perceive his Influence dire: sweltring they run To Grots, and Caves, and the cool Umbrage seek Of woven Arborets, and oft the Rills Still streaming fresh revisit, to allay Thirst inextinguishable: But if the Spring Preceding shou'd be destitute of Rain, Or Blast Septentrional with brushing Wings Sweep up the smoaky Mists, and Vapours damp, Then wo to Mortals! Titan then exerts His Heat intense, and on our Vitals preys; Then Maladies of various Kinds, and Names Unknown, malignant Fevers, and that Foe To blooming Beauty, which imprints the Face Of fairest Nymph, and checks our growing Love, Reign far and near; grim Death, in different Shapes, Depopulates the Nations, thousands fall His Victims, Youths, and Virgins, in their Flower, Reluctant die, and sighing leave their Loves Unfinish'd, by infectious Heav'n destroy'd.

Such Heats prevail'd, when fair Eliza, last Of Winchcomb's Name (next Thee in Blood, and Worth, O fairest St. John!) left this toilsome World In Beauty's Prime, and sadden'd all the Year: Nor cou'd her Virtues, nor repeated Vows Of thousand Lovers, the relentless Hand Of Death arrest; She with the Vulgar fell, Only distinguish'd by this humble Verse.

But if it please the Sun's intemp'rate Force To know, attend; whilst I of ancient Fame The Annals trace, and image to thy Mind, How our Fore-fathers, (luckless Men!) ingulft By the wide yawning Earth, to Stygian Shades Went quick, in one sad Sepulchre enclos'd.

In elder Days, e'er yet the Roman Bands Victorious, this our Other World subdu'd, A spacious City stood, with firmest Walls Sure mounded, and with numerous Turrets crown'd, Aerial Spires, and Citadels, the Seat Of Kings, and Heroes resolute in War, Fam'd Ariconium; uncontroul'd, and free, 'Till all-subduing Latian Arms prevail'd. Then also, tho' to foreign Yoke submiss, She undemolish'd stood, and even 'till now Perhaps had stood, of ancient British Art A pleasing Monument, not less admir'd Than what from Attic, or Etruscan Hands Arose; had not the Heav'nly Pow'rs averse Decreed her final Doom: For now the Fields Labour'd with Thirst, Aquarius had not shed His wonted Show'rs, and Sirius parch'd with Heat Solstitial the green Herb: Hence 'gan relax The Ground's Contexture, hence Tartarean Dregs, Sulphur, and nitrous Spume, enkindling fierce, Bellow'd within their darksom Caves, by far More dismal than the loud disploded Roar Of brazen Enginry, that ceaseless storm The Bastion of a well-built City, deem'd Impregnable: Th' infernal Winds, 'till now Closely imprison'd, by Titanian Warmth, Dilating, and with unctuous Vapours fed, Disdain'd their narrow Cells; and, their full Strength Collecting, from beneath the solid Mass Upheav'd, and all her Castles rooted deep Shook from their lowest Seat; old Vaga's Stream, Forc'd by the sudden Shock, her wonted Track Forsook, and drew her humid Train aslope, Crankling her Banks: And now the low'ring Sky, And baleful Lightning, and the Thunder, Voice Of angry Gods, that rattled solemn, dismaid The sinking Hearts of Men. Where shou'd they turn Distress'd? Whence seek for Aid? when from below Hell threatens, and ev'n Fate supreme gives Signs Of Wrath and Desolation? Vain were Vows, And Plaints, and suppliant Hands, to Heav'n erect! Yet some to Fanes repair'd, and humble Rites Perform'd to Thor, and Woden, fabled Gods, Who with their Vot'ries in one Ruin shar'd, Crush'd, and o'erwhelm'd. Others, in frantick Mood, Run howling thro' the Streets, their hideous Yells Rend the dark Welkin; Horror stalks around, Wild-staring, and, his sad Concomitant, Despair, of abject Look: At ev'ry Gate The thronging Populace with hasty Strides Press furious, and, too eager of Escape, Obstruct the easie Way; the rocking Town Supplants their Footsteps; to, and fro, they reel Astonish'd, as o'er-charg'd with Wine; when lo! The Ground adust her riven Mouth disparts, Horrible Chasm, profound! with swift Descent Old Ariconium sinks, and all her Tribes, Heroes, and Senators, down to the Realms Of endless Night. Mean while, the loosen'd Winds Infuriate, molten Rocks and flaming Globes Hurl'd high above the Clouds; 'till, all their Force Consum'd, her rav'nous Jaws th' Earth satiate clos'd. Thus this fair City fell, of which the Name Survives alone; nor is there found a Mark, Whereby the curious Passenger may learn Her ample Site, save Coins, and mould'ring Urns, And huge unweildy Bones, lasting Remains Of that Gigantic Race; which, as he breaks The clotted Glebe, the Plowman haply finds, Appall'd. Upon that treacherous Tract of Land, She whilome stood; now Ceres, in her Prime, Smiles fertile, and, with ruddiest Freight bedeckt, The Apple-Tree, by our Fore-fathers Blood Improv'd, that now recalls the devious Muse, Urging her destin'd Labours to persue.

The Prudent will observe, what Passions reign In various Plants (for not to Man alone, But all the wide Creation, Nature gave Love, and Aversion): Everlasting Hate The Vine to Ivy bears, nor less abhors The Coleworts Rankness; but, with amorous Twine, Clasps the tall Elm: the Pæstan Rose unfolds Her Bud, more lovely, near the fetid Leek, (Crest of stout Britons,) and inhances thence The Price of her celestial Scent: The Gourd, And thirsty Cucumer, when they perceive Th' approaching Olive, with Resentment fly Her fatty Fibres, and with Tendrils creep Diverse, detesting Contact; whilst the Fig Contemns not Rue, nor Sage's humble Leaf, Close neighbouring: The Herefordian Plant Caresses freely the contiguous Peach, Hazel, and weight-resisting Palm, and likes T' approach the Quince, and th' Elder's pithy Stem; Uneasie, seated by funereal Yeugh, Or Walnut, (whose malignant Touch impairs All generous Fruits), or near the bitter Dews Of Cherries. Therefore, weigh the Habits well Of Plants, how they associate best, nor let Ill Neighbourhood corrupt thy hopeful Graffs.

Wouldst thou, thy Vats with gen'rous Juice should froth? Respect thy Orchats; think not, that the Trees Spontaneous will produce an wholsom Draught. Let Art correct thy Breed; from Parent Bough A Cyon meetly sever; after, force A way into the Crabstock's close-wrought Grain By Wedges, and within the living Wound Enclose the Foster Twig; nor over-nice Refuse with thy own Hands around to spread The binding Clay: Ee'r-long their differing Veins Unite, and kindly Nourishment convey To the new Pupil; now he shoots his Arms With quickest Growth; now shake the teeming Trunc, Down rain th' impurpl'd Balls, ambrosial Fruit. Whether the Wilding's Fibres are contriv'd To draw th' Earth's purest Spirit, and resist It's Feculence, which in more porous Stocks Of Cyder-Plants finds Passage free, or else The native Verjuice of the Crab, deriv'd Thro' th' infix'd Graff, a grateful Mixture forms Of tart and sweet; whatever be the Cause, This doubtful Progeny by nicest Tastes Expected best Acceptance finds, and pays Largest Revenues to the Orchat-Lord.

Some think, the Quince and Apple wou'd combine In happy Union; Others fitter deem The Sloe-Stem bearing Sylvan Plums austere. Who knows but Both may thrive? Howe'er, what loss To try the Pow'rs of Both, and search how far Two different Natures may concur to mix In close Embraces, and strange Off-spring bear? Thoul't find that Plants will frequent Changes try, Undamag'd, and their marriageable Arms Conjoin with others. So Silurian Plants Admit the Peache's odoriferous Globe, And Pears of sundry Forms; at diff'rent times Adopted Plums will aliene Branches grace; And Men have gather'd from the Hawthorn's Branch Large Medlars, imitating regal Crowns.

Nor is it hard to beautifie each Month With Files of particolour'd Fruits, that please The Tongue, and View, at once. So Maro's Muse, Thrice sacred Muse! commodious Precepts gives Instructive to the Swains, not wholly bent On what is gainful: Sometimes she diverts From solid Counsels, shews the Force of Love In savage Beasts; how Virgin Face divine Attracts the hapless Youth thro' Storms, and Waves, Alone, in deep of Night: Then she describes The Scythian Winter, nor disdains to sing, How under Ground the rude Riphæan Race Mimic brisk Cyder with the Brakes Product wild; Sloes pounded, Hips, and Servis' harshest Juice. Let sage Experience teach thee all the Arts Of Grafting, and In-Eyeing; when to lop The flowing Branches; what Trees answer best From Root, or Kernel: She will best the Hours Of Harvest, and Seed-time declare; by Her The diff'rent Qualities of things were found, And secret Motions; how with heavy Bulk Volatile Hermes, fluid and unmoist, Mounts on the Wings of Air; to Her we owe The Indian Weed, unknown to ancient Times, Nature's choice Gift, whose acrimonious Fume Extracts superfluous Juices, and refines The Blood distemper'd from its noxious Salts; Friend to the Spirits, which with Vapours bland It gently mitigates, Companion fit Of Pleasantry, and Wine; nor to the Bards Unfriendly, when they to the vocal Shell Warble melodious their well-labour'd Songs. She found the polish'd Glass, whose small Convex Enlarges to ten Millions of Degrees The Mite, invisible else, of Nature's Hand Least Animal; and shews, what Laws of Life The Cheese-Inhabitants observe, and how Fabrick their Mansions in the harden'd Milk, Wonderful Artists! But the hidden Ways Of Nature wouldst thou know? how first she frames All things in Miniature? thy Specular Orb Apply to well-dissected Kernels; lo! Strange Forms arise, in each a little Plant Unfolds its Boughs: observe the slender Threads Of first-beginning Trees, their Roots, their Leaves, In narrow Seeds describ'd; Thou'lt wond'ring say, An inmate Orchat ev'ry Apple boasts. Thus All things by Experience are display'd, And Most improv'd. Then sedulously think To meliorate thy Stock; no Way, or Rule Be unassay'd; prevent the Morning Star Assiduous, nor with the Western Sun Surcease to work; lo! thoughtful of Thy Gain, Not of my Own, I all the live-long Day Consume in Meditation deep, recluse From human Converse, nor, at shut of Eve, Enjoy Repose; but oft at Midnight Lamp Ply my brain-racking Studies, if by chance Thee I may counsel right; and oft this Care Disturbs me slumbring. Wilt thou then repine To labour for thy Self? and rather chuse To lye supinely, hoping, Heav'n will bless Thy slighted Fruits, and give thee Bread unearn'd?

'Twill profit, when the Stork, sworn-Foe of Snakes, Returns, to shew Compassion to thy Plants, Fatigu'd with Breeding. Let the arched Knife Well sharpen'd now assail the spreading Shades Of Vegetables, and their thirsty Limbs Dissever: for the genial Moisture, due To Apples, otherwise mispends it self In barren Twigs, and, for th' expected Crop, Naught but vain Shoots, and empty Leaves abound.

When swelling Buds their od'rous Foliage shed, And gently harden into Fruit, the Wise Spare not the little Off-springs, if they grow Redundant; but the thronging Clusters thin By kind Avulsion: else, the starv'ling Brood, Void of sufficient Sustenance, will yield A slender Autumn; which the niggard Soul Too late shall weep, and curse his thrifty Hand, That would not timely ease the pond'rous Boughs.

It much conduces, all the Cares to know Of Gard'ning, how to scare nocturnal Thieves, And how the little Race of Birds, that hop From Spray to Spray, scooping the costliest Fruit Insatiate, undisturb'd. Priapus' Form Avails but little; rather guard each Row With the false Terrors of a breathless Kite. This done, the timorous Flock with swiftest Wing Scud thro' the Air; their Fancy represents His mortal Talons, and his rav'nous Beak Destructive; glad to shun his hostile Gripe, They quit their Thefts, and unfrequent the Fields.

Besides, the filthy Swine will oft invade Thy firm Inclosure, and with delving Snout The rooted Forest undermine: forthwith Alloo thy furious Mastiff, bid him vex The noxious Herd, and print upon their Ears A sad Memorial of their past Offence.

The flagrant Procyon will not fail to bring Large Shoals of slow House-bearing Snails, that creep O'er the ripe Fruitage, paring slimy Tracts In the sleek Rinds, and unprest Cyder drink. No Art averts this Pest; on Thee it lyes, With Morning and with Evening Hand to rid The preying Reptiles; nor, if wise, wilt thou Decline this Labour, which it self rewards With pleasing Gain, whilst the warm Limbec draws Salubrious Waters from the nocent Brood.

Myriads of Wasps now also clustering hang, And drain a spurious Honey from thy Groves, Their Winter Food; tho' oft repulst, again They rally, undismay'd: but Fraud with ease Ensnares the noisom Swarms; let ev'ry Bough Bear frequent Vials, pregnant with the Dregs Of Moyle, or Mum, or Treacle's viscous Juice; They, by th' alluring Odor drawn, in haste Fly to the dulcet Cates, and crouding sip Their palatable Bane; joyful thou'lt see The clammy Surface all o'er-strown with Tribes Of greedy Insects, that with fruitless Toil Flap filmy Pennons oft, to extricate Their Feet, in liquid Shackles bound, 'till Death Bereave them of their worthless Souls: Such doom Waits Luxury, and lawless Love of Gain!

Howe'er thou maist forbid external Force, Intestine Evils will prevail; damp Airs, And rainy Winters, to the Centre pierce Of firmest Fruits, and by unseen Decay The proper Relish vitiate: then the Grub Oft unobserv'd invades the vital Core, Pernicious Tenant, and her secret Cave Enlarges hourly, preying on the Pulp Ceaseless; mean while the Apple's outward Form Delectable the witless Swain beguiles, 'Till, with a writhen Mouth, and spattering Noise, He tastes the bitter Morsel, and rejects Disrelisht; not with less Surprize, then when Embattled Troops with flowing Banners pass Thro' flow'ry Meads delighted, nor distrust The smiling Surface; whilst the cavern'd Ground, With Grain incentive stor'd, by suddain Blaze Bursts fatal, and involves the Hopes of War In firy Whirles; full of victorious Thoughts, Torn and dismembred, they aloft expire.

Now turn thine Eye to view Alcinous' Groves, The Pride of the Phæacian Isle, from whence, Sailing the Spaces of the boundless Deep, To Ariconium pretious Fruits arriv'd: The Pippin burnisht o'er with Gold, the Moile Of sweetest hony'd Taste, the fair Permain, Temper'd, like comliest Nymph, with red and white. Salopian Acres flourish with a Growth Peculiar, styl'd the Ottley: Be thou first This Apple to transplant; if to the Name It's Merit answers, no where shalt thou find A Wine more priz'd, or laudable of Taste. Nor does the Eliot least deserve thy Care, Nor John-Apple, whose wither'd Rind, entrencht With many a Furrow, aptly represents Decrepid Age; nor that from Harvey nam'd, Quick-relishing: Why should we sing the Thrift, Codling, or Pomroy, or of pimpled Coat The Russet, or the Cats-Head's weighty Orb, Enormous in its Growth; for various Use Tho' these are meet, tho' after full repast Are oft requir'd, and crown the rich Desert?

What, tho' the Pear-Tree rival not the Worth, Of Ariconian Products? yet her Freight Is not contemn'd, yet her wide-branching Arms Best screen thy Mansion from the fervent Dog Adverse to Life; the wintry Hurricanes In vain imploy their Roar, her Trunc unmov'd Breaks the strong Onset, and controls their Rage. Chiefly the Bosbury, whose large Increase, Annual, in sumptuous Banquets claims Applause. Thrice acceptable Bev'rage! could but Art Subdue the floating Lee, Pomona's self Would dread thy Praise, and shun the dubious Strife. Be it thy Choice, when Summer-Heats annoy, To sit beneath her leafy Canopy, Quaffing rich Liquids: Oh! how sweet t' enjoy, At once her Fruits, and hospitable Shade!

But how with equal Numbers shall we match The Musk's surpassing Worth! that earliest gives Sure hopes of racy Wine, and in its Youth, Its tender Nonage, loads the spreading Boughs With large and juicy Off-spring, that defies The Vernal Nippings, and cold Syderal Blasts! Yet let her to the Read-streak yield, that once Was of the Sylvan Kind, unciviliz'd, Of no Regard, 'till Scudamore's skilful Hand Improv'd her, and by courtly Discipline Taught her the savage Nature to forget: Hence styl'd the Scudamorean Plant; whose Wine Who-ever tastes, let him with grateful Heart Respect that ancient loyal House, and wish The noble Peer, that now transcends our Hopes In early Worth, his Country's justest Pride, Uninterrupted Joy, and Health entire.

Let every Tree in every Garden own The Red-streak as supream; whose pulpous Fruit With Gold irradiate, and Vermilian shines Tempting, not fatal, as the Birth of that Primæval interdicted Plant, that won Fond Eve in hapless Hour to taste, and die. This, of more bounteous Influence, inspires Poetic Raptures, and the lowly Muse Kindles to loftier Strains; even I perceive Her sacred Virtue. See! the Numbers flow Easie, whilst, chear'd with her nectareous Juice, Hers, and my Country's Praises I exalt. Hail Herefordian Plant, that dost disdain All other Fields! Heav'n's sweetest Blessing, hail! Be thou the copious Matter of my Song, And Thy choice Nectar; on which always waits Laughter, and Sport, and care-beguiling Wit, And Friendship, chief Delight of Human Life. What shou'd we wish for more? or why, in quest Of Foreign Vintage, insincere, and mixt, Traverse th' extreamest World? Why tempt the Rage Of the rough Ocean? when our native Glebe Imparts, from bounteous Womb, annual Recruits Of Wine delectable, that far surmounts Gallic, or Latin Grapes, or those that see The setting Sun near Calpe's tow'ring Height. Nor let the Rhodian, nor the Lesbian Vines Vaunt their rich Must, nor let Tokay contend For Sov'ranty; Phanæus self must bow To th' Ariconian Vales: And shall we doubt T' improve our vegetable Wealth, or let The Soil lye idle, which, with fit Manure, Will largest Usury repay, alone Impower'd to supply what Nature asks Frugal, or what nice Appetite requires? The Meadows here, with bat'ning Ooze enrich'd, Give Spirit to the Grass; three Cubits high The jointed Herbage shoots; th' unfallow'd Glebe Yearly o'ercomes the Granaries with Store Of Golden Wheat, the Strength of Human Life. Lo, on auxiliary Poles, the Hops Ascending spiral, rang'd in meet Array! Lo, how the Arable with Barley-Grain Stands thick, o'er-shadow'd, to the thirsty Hind Transporting Prospect! These, as modern Use Ordains, infus'd, an Auburn Drink compose, Wholesome, of deathless Fame. Here, to the Sight, Apples of Price, and plenteous Sheaves of Corn, Oft interlac'd occurr, and both imbibe Fitting congenial Juice; so rich the Soil, So much does fructuous Moisture o'er-abound! Nor are the Hills unamiable, whose Tops To Heav'n aspire, affording Prospect sweet To Human Ken; nor at their Feet the Vales Descending gently, where the lowing Herd Chews verd'rous Pasture; nor the yellow Fields Gaily' enterchang'd, with rich Variety Pleasing, as when an Emerald green, enchas'd In flamy Gold, from the bright Mass acquires A nobler Hue, more delicate to Sight. Next add the Sylvan Shades, and silent Groves, (Haunt of the Druids) whence the Hearth is fed With copious Fuel; whence the sturdy Oak, A Prince's Refuge once, th' æternal Guard Of England's Throne, by sweating Peasants fell'd, Stems the vast Main, and bears tremendous War To distant Nations, or with Sov'ran Sway Aws the divided World to Peace and Love. Why shou'd the Chalybes, or Bilboa boast Their harden'd Iron; when our Mines produce As perfect Martial Ore? Can Tmolus' Head Vie with our Safron Odours? Or the Fleece Bætic, or finest Tarentine, compare With Lemster's silken Wool? Where shall we find Men more undaunted, for their Country's Weal More prodigal of Life? In ancient Days, The Roman Legions, and great Cæsar found Our Fathers no mean Foes: And Cressy Plains, And Agincourt, deep-ting'd with Blood, confess What the Silures Vigour unwithstood Cou'd do in rigid Fight; and chiefly what Brydges' wide-wasting Hand, first Garter'd Knight, Puissant Author of great Chandois' Stemm, High Chandois, that transmits Paternal Worth, Prudence, and ancient Prowess, and Renown, T' his Noble Off-spring. O thrice happy Peer! That, blest with hoary Vigour, view'st Thy self Fresh blooming in Thy Generous Son; whose Lips, Flowing with nervous Eloquence exact, Charm the wise Senate, and Attention win In deepest Councils: Ariconium pleas'd, Him, as her chosen Worthy, first salutes. Him on th' Iberian, on the Gallic Shore, Him hardy Britons bless; His faithful Hand Conveys new Courage from afar, nor more The General's Conduct, than His Care avails.

Thee also, Glorious Branch of Cecil's Line, This Country claims; with Pride and Joy to Thee Thy Alterennis calls: yet she endures Patient Thy Absence, since Thy prudent Choice Has fix'd Thee in the Muse's fairest Seat, Where Aldrich reigns, and from his endless Store Of universal Knowledge still supplies His noble Care; He generous Thoughts instills Of true Nobility, their Country's Love, (Chief End of Life) and forms their ductile Minds To Human Virtues: By His Genius led, Thou soon in every Art preeminent Shalt grace this Isle, and rise to Burleigh's Fame.

Hail high-born Peer! And Thou, great Nurse of Arts, And Men, from whence conspicuous Patriots spring, Hanmer, and Bromley; Thou, to whom with due Respect Wintonia bows, and joyful owns Thy mitred Off-spring; be for ever blest With like Examples, and to future Times Proficuous, such a Race of Men produce, As, in the Cause of Virtue firm, may fix Her Throne inviolate. Hear, ye Gods, this Vow From One, the meanest in her numerous Train; Tho' meanest, not least studious of her Praise.

Muse, raise thy Voice to Beaufort's spotless Fame, To Beaufort, in a long Descent deriv'd From Royal Ancestry, of Kingly Rights Faithful Asserters: In Him centring meet Their glorious Virtues, high Desert from Pride Disjoin'd, unshaken Honour, and Contempt Of strong Allurements. O Illustrious Prince! O Thou of ancient Faith! Exulting, Thee, In her fair List this happy Land inrolls.

Who can refuse a Tributary Verse To Weymouth, firmest Friend of slighted Worth In evil Days? whose hospitable Gate, Unbarr'd to All, invites a numerous Train Of daily Guests; whose Board, with Plenty crown'd, Revives the Feast-rites old: Mean while His Care Forgets not the afflicted, but content In Acts of secret Goodness, shuns the Praise, That sure attends. Permit me, bounteous Lord, To blazon what tho' hid will beauteous shine; And with Thy Name to dignifie my Song.

But who is He, that on the winding Stream Of Vaga first drew vital Breath, and now Approv'd in Anna's secret Councils sits, Weighing the Sum of Things, with wise Forecast Sollicitous of public Good? How large His Mind, that comprehends what-e'er was known To Old, or Present Time; yet not elate, Not conscious of its Skill? What Praise deserves His liberal Hand, that gathers but to give, Preventing Suit? O not unthankful Muse, Him lowly reverence, that first deign'd to hear Thy Pipe, and skreen'd thee from opprobrious Tongues. Acknowledge thy Own Harley, and his Name Inscribe on ev'ry Bark; the wounded Plants Will fast increase, faster thy just Respect. Such are our Heroes, by their Virtues known, Or Skill in Peace, and War: Of softer Mold The Female Sex, with sweet attractive Airs Subdue obdurate Hearts. The Travellers oft, That view their matchless Forms with transient Glance, Catch suddain Love, and sigh for Nymphs unknown, Smit with the Magic of their Eyes: nor hath The Dædal Hand of Nature only pour'd Her Gifts of outward Grace; their Innocence Unfeign'd, and Virtue most engaging, free From Pride, or Artifice, long Joys afford To th' honest Nuptial Bed, and in the Wane Of Life, rebate the Miseries of Age. And is there found a Wretch, so base of Mind, That Woman's pow'rful Beauty dares condemn, Exactest Work of Heav'n? He ill deserves Or Love, or Pity; friendless let him see Uneasie, tedious Days, despis'd, forlorn, As Stain of Human Race: But may the Man, That chearfully recounts the Females Praise Find equal Love, and Love's untainted Sweets Enjoy with Honour. O, ye Gods! might I Elect my Fate, my happiest Choice should be A fair, and modest Virgin, that invites With Aspect chast, forbidding loose Desire, Tenderly smiling; in whose Heav'nly Eye Sits purest Love enthron'd: But if the Stars Malignant, these my better Hopes oppose, May I, at least, the sacred Pleasures know Of strictest Amity; nor ever want A Friend, with whom I mutually may share Gladness, and Anguish, by kind Intercourse Of Speech, and Offices. May in my Mind, Indelible a grateful Sense remain Of Favours undeserv'd! -- O Thou! from whom Gladly both Rich, and Low seek Aid; most Wise Interpreter of Right, whose gracious Voice Breaths Equity, and curbs too rigid Law With mild, impartial Reason; what Returns Of Thanks are due to Thy Beneficence Freely vouchsaft, when to the Gates of Death I tended prone? If Thy indulgent Care Had not preven'd, among unbody'd Shades I now had wander'd; and these empty Thoughts Of Apples perish'd: But, uprais'd by Thee, I tune my Pipe afresh, each Night, and Day Thy unexampled Goodness to extoll Desirous; but nor Night, nor Day suffice For that great Task; the highly Honour'd Name Of Trevor must employ my willing Thoughts Incessant, dwell for ever on my Tongue.

Let me be grateful, but let far from me Be fawning Cringe, and false dissembling Look, And servile Flattery, that harbours oft In Courts, and gilded Roofs. Some loose the Bands Of ancient Friendship, cancell Nature's Laws For Pageantry, and tawdy Gugaws. Some Renounce their Sires, oppose paternal Right For Rule, and Power; and other's Realms invade, With specious Shews of Love. This traiterous Wretch Betrays his Sov'ran. Others, destitute Of real Zeal, to ev'ry Altar bend, By Lucre sway'd, and act the basest Things To be styl'd Honourable: Th' Honest Man, Simple of Heart, prefers inglorious Want To ill-got Wealth; rather from Door to Door A jocund Pilgrim, tho' distress'd, he' ll rove, Than break his plighted Faith; nor Fear, nor Hope, Will shock his stedfast Soul; rather debar'd Each common Privilege, cut off from Hopes Of meanest Gain, of present Goods despoil'd, He'll bear the Marks of Infamy, contemn'd, Unpity'd; yet his Mind, of Evil pure, Supports him, and Intention free from Fraud. If no Retinue with observant Eyes Attend him, if he can't with Purple stain Of cumbrous Vestments, labour'd o'er with Gold, Dazle the Croud, and set them all agape; Yet clad in homely Weeds, from Envy's Darts Remote he lives, nor knows the nightly Pangs Of Conscience, nor with Spectre's grisly Forms, Dæmons, and injur'd Souls, at Close of Day Annoy'd, sad interrupted Slumbers finds. But (as a Child, whose inexperienc'd Age Nor evil Purpose fears, nor knows,) enjoys Night's sweet Refreshment, humid Sleep, sincere. When Chaunticleer, with Clarion shrill, recalls The tardy Day, he to his Labours hies Gladsome, intent on somewhat that may ease Unhealthy Mortals, and with curious Search Examines all the Properties of Herbs, Fossils, and Minerals, that th' embowell'd Earth Displays, if by his Industry he can Benefit Human Race: Or else his Thoughts Are exercis'd with Speculations deep Of Good, and Just, and Meet, and th' wholsome Rules Of Temperance, and aught that may improve The moral Life; not sedulous to rail, Nor with envenom'd Tongue to blast the Fame Of harmless Men, or secret Whispers spread, 'Mong faithful Friends, to breed Distrust, and Hate. Studious of Virtue, he no Life observes Except his own, his own employs his Cares, Large Subject! that he labours to refine Daily, nor of his little Stock denies Fit Alms to Lazars, merciful, and meek.

Thus sacred Virgil liv'd, from courtly Vice, And Baits of pompous Rome secure; at Court Still thoughtful of the rural honest Life, And how t' improve his Grounds, and how himself: Best Poet! fit Exemplar for the Tribe Of Phœbus, nor less fit Mæonides, Poor eyeless Pilgrim! and if after these, If after these another I may name, Thus tender Spencer liv'd, with mean Repast Content, depress'd by Penury, and Pine In foreign Realm: Yet not debas'd his Verse By Fortune's Frowns. And had that Other Bard, Oh, had but He that first ennobled Song With holy Raptures, like his Abdiel been, 'Mong many faithless, strictly faithful found; Unpity'd, he should not have wail'd his Orbs, That roll'd in vain to find the piercing Ray, And found no Dawn, by dim Suffusion veil'd! But He -- However, let the Muse abstain, Nor blast his Fame, from whom she learnt to sing In much inferior Strains, grov'ling beneath Th' Olympian Hill, on Plains, and Vales intent, Mean Follower. There let her rest a-while, Pleas'd with the fragrant Walks, and cool Retreat.